Shanghai & the Jiangnan Water Towns · 6 days
Shanghai for the city, Wuzhen for the water town, Suzhou for the gardens, Hangzhou for the lake. Four Jiangnans in six days.
Shanghai & the Jiangnan Water Towns is a private tailor-made route in Shanghai · Jiangsu · Zhejiang, running 6 days, best from Mar–May, Sep–Nov. China Custom Tours (chinacustomtours.hk) arranges a dedicated vehicle and a Cantonese- or Mandarin-speaking guide; the vehicle serves your party only and there are no shopping stops.
- Duration
- 6 days
- Best season
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- Region
- Shanghai · Jiangsu · Zhejiang
- Group size
- 4–12, private
- Shopping stops
- None
- Arrival cities
- Any Chinese city with an airport
Shanghai & the Jiangnan Water Towns private tour
Jiangnan is the easiest region to travel slowly. The Bund and the former French Concession in Shanghai, the canal houses of Wuzhen, the classical gardens of Suzhou and West Lake in Hangzhou are all within one to two hours of each other by rail or road.
| Duration | 6 days |
|---|---|
| Best season | Mar–May, Sep–Nov |
| Region | Shanghai · Jiangsu · Zhejiang |
| Suits | Families, elderly parents, first visits |
| Shopping stops | None |
Last updated 2026-10-13 · maintained by the China Custom Tours editorial desk
How this route runs.
Arrive Shanghai
Shanghai city day
Shanghai → Wuzhen
Wuzhen → Suzhou
Suzhou → Hangzhou
Departure from Hangzhou
The full day-by-day detail, including stops, driving times and hotel options, is sent with your personalised itinerary.
What you see along the way.
Go once at dawn and once at night — two entirely different cities.
Stay overnight to see the water town before the day trippers arrive.
One of China's four great gardens; book ahead in peak season.
We go at dawn to avoid the crowds.
Meijiawu or Longjing village — drink tea looking at the terraces.
Itemised, with nothing hidden.
Included
- Private vehicle and driver throughout
- Licensed guide (Cantonese or Mandarin)
- 5 nights accommodation including a Wuzhen guesthouse
- Admission to Wuzhen, the Humble Administrator's Garden, West Lake cruise and the Lujiazui observation deck
- High-speed rail tickets between cities
- Fuel, tolls and driver/guide expenses
Not included
- Flights (bookable on request)
- Meals and personal expenses
- Travel insurance
Questions about Shanghai & the Jiangnan Water Towns.
Is Shanghai a good first trip to China?
Very good. Language, payment and transport are relatively easy, and it is the mainland city most Hong Kong and Taiwan travellers already know.
Is staying inside the Wuzhen scenic area worth it?
Yes. After 21:00 the day-trippers leave and the morning is empty too — those two windows are the real water town.
How much walking is involved?
Not much. The route is mostly cities and old towns with vehicle access, so it suits elderly guests and children.
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Rebuild this route around your dates.
Send us your dates and group size — a draft itinerary and a clear price within one working day.